Ups and Downs: Heritage hailing; duty denoted; and thanks to those who give back

Published: Friday, February 21, 2014 at 12:17 PM.

Giving back — folks talk about it all the time. We have some with a little follow-through this week.

First a THUMBS UP to Cincinnati Bengals receiver and return specialist Brandon Tate who wants to make a difference in his hometown. Tate, a Cummings grad and former star at the University of North Carolina, is the sparkplug (along with brother Barry) behind the Brandon Tate Black History Month Basketball Tournament that started Friday and continues today at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club. “We thought about ways we could give back to the community,” Brandon said. “We wanted something for the youth that they could get something out of and something that the parents and families could be involved with.” We like that.

Speaking of giving back, THUMBS UP to LabCorp for donating a pair of Chevy Express Cargo vans to Allied Churches of Alamance County and The Salvation Army of Alamance County. These vehicles will be used for collecting donations for their respective food pantries. Last year when Loaves & Fishes of Alamance County closed abruptly, LabCorp was one of several local companies that held a food drive among its employees to assist the two local agencies that stepped up to take over Loaves & Fishes’ role. LabCorp employees collected more than 12,000 pounds for Allied Churches and The Salvation Army, and the company is planning a second large food drive for March.

While we’re at it, THUMBS UP to the Burlington Harley Owners Group. For 20 years, the group of motorcycle owners has worked to prove that there was more to them than the stereotypical biker image. Their efforts have created a fundraiser that has generated almost $300,000 for local hospice care. The All Harley Bike Show held inside Holly Hill Mall last weekend raised more than $23,000 — the most yet.

And THUMBS UP to the annual Soup for Sharing lunch event. This year the fundraiser served 250 people and raised more than $1,400 for the Caring Kitchen in Burlington. In the past, local restaurants were relied upon to stock the pots for the event, but this time around, many local citizens jumped in to help with their talents to make soups, desserts and other fixings. We would be remiss by not adding that this year’s event was dedicated to the memory of our former reporter Mike Wilder, who died last year after a battle with cancer. We’re coming up on the anniversary of his diagnosis next month so he’s in our thoughts.

Giving back — folks talk about it all the time. We have some with a little follow-through this week.

First a THUMBS UP to Cincinnati Bengals receiver and return specialist Brandon Tate who wants to make a difference in his hometown. Tate, a Cummings grad and former star at the University of North Carolina, is the sparkplug (along with brother Barry) behind the Brandon Tate Black History Month Basketball Tournament that started Friday and continues today at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club. “We thought about ways we could give back to the community,” Brandon said. “We wanted something for the youth that they could get something out of and something that the parents and families could be involved with.” We like that.

Speaking of giving back, THUMBS UP to LabCorp for donating a pair of Chevy Express Cargo vans to Allied Churches of Alamance County and The Salvation Army of Alamance County. These vehicles will be used for collecting donations for their respective food pantries. Last year when Loaves & Fishes of Alamance County closed abruptly, LabCorp was one of several local companies that held a food drive among its employees to assist the two local agencies that stepped up to take over Loaves & Fishes’ role. LabCorp employees collected more than 12,000 pounds for Allied Churches and The Salvation Army, and the company is planning a second large food drive for March.

While we’re at it, THUMBS UP to the Burlington Harley Owners Group. For 20 years, the group of motorcycle owners has worked to prove that there was more to them than the stereotypical biker image. Their efforts have created a fundraiser that has generated almost $300,000 for local hospice care. The All Harley Bike Show held inside Holly Hill Mall last weekend raised more than $23,000 — the most yet.

And THUMBS UP to the annual Soup for Sharing lunch event. This year the fundraiser served 250 people and raised more than $1,400 for the Caring Kitchen in Burlington. In the past, local restaurants were relied upon to stock the pots for the event, but this time around, many local citizens jumped in to help with their talents to make soups, desserts and other fixings. We would be remiss by not adding that this year’s event was dedicated to the memory of our former reporter Mike Wilder, who died last year after a battle with cancer. We’re coming up on the anniversary of his diagnosis next month so he’s in our thoughts.

In other news, THUMBS UP to Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Harvey. The Burlington man who was recently given increased responsibility at his duty station at Fort Bliss, Texas. Gabriel was the command sergeant major of the headquarters battalion of the 1st Armored Division, called “Old Ironsides.” As a command sergeant major, Gabriel was the senior enlisted adviser to his battalion commander, and is largely responsible for the unit of about 500 soldiers. Big job.

THUMBS UP to the Alamance Coalition for African American Heritage Preservation for its plans to honor Julia Jordan Sunday as part of its Celebration of Heritage series. This is the newly formed group’s first celebration highlighting contributions that African Americans have made to Alamance County, and to honor and celebrate the lives of those who have been bridge-builders into the community. Jordan, 91, a prominent educator and political activist, is a wonderful choice for the first honoree.

And THUMBS UP to the First Christian United Church of Christ. The church at 415 S. Church St., Burlington, celebrated its 130th anniversary this week. The Rev. Dr. Robert K. Barrows, a former pastor of the church and now senior pastor of The Congregational Church UCC in Troy was the guest speaker and the service also included recognition of the Rev. Mark Andes for his 71 years of ministry.